System And Method Utilizing Vacuum For Promoting The Healing Of Sprains

Abstract

A system and apparatus for promoting perfusion at a tissue site containing a sprain by applying a vacuum to intact skin extending over or surrounding the tissue site. The system and apparatus comprise a manifold formed from a porous material and configured to be disposed proximate the intact skin for distributing vacuum to the intact skin, and a sleeve adapted to cover the manifold and form a chamber containing the manifold to seal the manifold within the chamber between the sleeve and the intact skin. The system and apparatus further comprise a fluid coupling member adapted to deliver vacuum to the manifold for distribution to the intact skin. A method for applying vacuum to the intact skin of a tissue site is also disclosed and described herein.

1 . A method for promoting perfusion at a tissue site, the method comprising:
 circumferentially disposing a dressing proximate intact skin extending over the tissue site, wherein the dressing comprises:
 a comfort layer configured to be circumferentially disposed proximate the intact skin; 
 a manifold coupled to the comfort layer, the manifold formed from a porous material having flow channels for distributing negative pressure to the intact skin; 
 a sleeve formed from a semi-permeable material and configured to cover the manifold and form a chamber containing the manifold and the comfort layer to seal the manifold and the comfort layer within the chamber between the sleeve and the intact skin; and 
 an attachment device configured to seal the sleeve to the intact skin adjacent the manifold; 
 supplying negative pressure to the manifold; 
   collapsing the sleeve in response to the supplied negative pressure;   stiffening the sleeve in response to the supplied negative pressure; and   pulling the intact skin radially outward in response to the supplied negative pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the dressing further comprises:
 a connector configured to be fluidly coupled to the manifold, the connector comprising: 
 a housing defining an interior space having an interface aperture configured to be in fluid communication with the manifold, and 
 a receptacle formed on the housing and having a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture configured to receive a conduit, the second aperture fluidly coupling the receptacle to the interior space and being smaller than the first aperture and further configured to restrict the conduit from entering the interior space; and 
   the method further comprises fluidly communicating the negative pressure to the manifold through the connector.   
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein supplying the negative pressure to the manifold further comprises distributing negative pressure to the intact skin surrounding the tissue site. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for applying negative pressure to a tissue site of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 a manifold formed from a porous material having an open cell structure and configured to be circumferentially disposed proximate the tissue site;   a sleeve configured to cover the manifold and form a chamber containing the manifold, the sleeve further configured to seal the manifold within the chamber between the sleeve and the tissue site; and   a delivery manifold having walls surrounding one or more flow passages configured to receive a negative pressure from a negative-pressure source and deliver negative pressure to the manifold.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the delivery manifold comprises a flexible material and is disposed between the sleeve and the manifold. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the walls further include a plurality of apertures that fluidly communicate between the flow passages and the manifold. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a delivery tube having one or more lumens fluidly coupling the flow passages of the delivery manifold to the negative-pressure source, wherein the lumens have protrusions to prevent the lumens from collapsing under pressure. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the delivery tube is elliptical in shape and disposed in the chamber between the sleeve and the manifold. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the delivery manifold and the delivery tube are formed from a soft silicone material. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the delivery manifold is further configured to receive temperature-controlled airflow from a source of positive pressure and deliver the temperature-controlled airflow to the manifold. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a substantially rigid case enclosing the sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a flexible walking boot enclosing the sleeve. 
     
     
         14 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A dressing for applying negative pressure to a tissue site of a patient, the dressing comprising:
 a comfort layer configured to be disposed proximate the tissue site;   a manifold layer having an open cell structure and configured to distribute vacuum over the tissue site;   a sealing layer comprising a sealing material and an adhesive backing material, the sealing layer configured to cover the manifold layer and the comfort layer and form a chamber containing the manifold layer and the comfort layer to seal the manifold layer within the chamber between the sealing layer and the tissue site; and   a fluid coupling member fluidly coupled to the manifold layer and configured to receive negative pressure from a negative pressure source to deliver negative pressure to the manifold layer for distribution to the tissue site.   
     
     
         36 . The dressing of  claim 35 , wherein the comfort layer is formed from an occlusive material. 
     
     
         37 . The dressing of  claim 35 , wherein the comfort layer includes a plurality of holes. 
     
     
         38 . The dressing of  claim 35 , wherein the manifold layer further comprises a series of slits. 
     
     
         39 . The dressing of  claim 35 , wherein the manifold layer has a perimeter and wherein the comfort layer and the sealing layer extend beyond the perimeter of the manifold layer. 
     
     
         40 . The dressing of  claim 35 , wherein the dressing has a two-dimensional profile having a distal dressing portion, a proximal dressing portion, and a flexible dressing portion between the distal dressing portion and the proximal dressing portion. 
     
     
         41 . The dressing of  claim 40 , wherein the flexible dressing portion has a width narrower than the distal dressing portion and the proximal dressing portion. 
     
     
         42 . The dressing of  claim 40 , wherein the distal dressing portion and the proximal dressing portion are configured to be at least partially wrapped around a limb on either side of an articulating joint with the flexible dressing portion configured to be positioned at the articulating joint.